Tanzanian artist Matonya, whose real name is Sefu Shabani Ramadhan, has been arraigned before a Mombasa court where he faced a serious criminal charge, which he denied.
The 43-year-old appeared before Chief Magistrate Robinson Ondiek at the Shanzu Law Courts. During the proceedings, he pleaded not guilty to the charge brought against him under the Sexual Offences Act. According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the court was informed that the alleged incident took place on April 7, 2026, at an apartment in Nyali, within Mombasa County.
The prosecution, led by Principal Prosecution Counsel Keya Ombele, urged the court to impose tough bond conditions. The state argued that the accused, being a foreign national, may pose a flight risk due to lack of permanent residence in Kenya. To ensure his availability throughout the trial, the prosecution emphasized the need for stringent measures.
The court granted the accused a bond of KSh500,000 with one Kenyan surety. In addition, he was ordered to surrender his Tanzanian passport and barred from leaving the country without prior approval from the court. Immigration authorities were also instructed to place alerts at all border entry and exit points to prevent any attempt to leave the country unlawfully.
The case is expected to proceed as the court continues to hear evidence and submissions from both the prosecution and the defence. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to ensuring due process and a fair trial.
